Thursday, February 23, 2012

Interview with Kimberly Burnham, PhD and featured author in Pearls of Wisdom, 30 Inspirational Ideas to Live Your Best Life Now.

I met Kimberly through Facebook on a writer's page. She's one of many authors in a new book Pearls of Wisdom. This book caught my interest because of this collaboration. 


Many intelligent, giving, understanding, honest, and expressive people have come together to help others learn from their most helpful lessons in life.


Kimberly's 5 word description of her chapter touched me. "Beauty comes from our experiences." I believe this to be true. No matter your beginning, no matter where you are now, your experiences mold and change you. If you can see the beauty in each one, you will grow.


Below are the questions I asked her:


1.    What one word would you say to someone who is stuck in a holding pattern in her/his life?

Connect!  

By connecting we can better appreciate the ways others can support our journey and shine a light on our path, making it easier for us to find our way. At the same time, one of the best ways to get "unstuck" is to share our gifts and knowledge with others.

2.    What would you say to writers, who are always on their computer writing?

As I write my stories, I see my life in a fresh way. I see what I have learned from different experiences. I see what I have to share that can inspire others. I see the patterns emerge. Writing about your experiences is so important, as is sharing your talents and learning, but ultimately you must have experiences.

You must observe your world as you live the experiences. You must connect with the beauty in yourself, in others, in the natural world. 



Brain research has shown that simply noticing natural patterns improves our brain, our eyes and ultimately our life. Fractals are patterns in nature and in mathematics. A tree is a fractal, with a branching pattern. Seeing and understanding the pattern can help you heal more quickly even after surgery.

Get out and enjoy the patterns in nature, in your experiences and in your relationships. Then write about them and share your experience with others.

3.    Did you use an editor to help you with your writing?

I am very fortunate to work on this book with the editors at Hierophant Publishing, which is associated with Hampton Roads Publishing Company. Even before I submit material I have my personal editor, Chandler Tyrrell at Wordstream, whom I love, do some editing. 



Having someone, preferably more than one person, with some distance from the experience and your writing is a key element in good writing.

4.    Describe this book in 5 words.

Beauty comes from our experiences.

5.    Describe your chapter in this book in 5 words.

Recognizing the pattern heals us.

My Pearls of Wisdom chapter title is: Fractals: Seeing the Patterns in Our Existence.

6.    Were you involved in the publishing side of this work? If yes, what did you learn about publishing in today's market?

This is a relatively new model where authors are asked to exchange the book price of fifty books for 100 physical books to be sold and distributed as we wish, coaching calls, membership in a creative supportive group of leaders, sharing of the book pages with Jack Canfield and other inspirational thought leaders, a bio and website link at the end of each of our chapters which will be seen by tens of thousands, perhaps millions of readers. 



I have learned so much, not about the actual publishing process for the physical book, but more about how to share my story in a more impactful way.  This has enabled me to reach a much bigger audience with my message that our ability to observe, engage and respond to the world around us is a key component in our enjoyment and success in life.

7.    What form of media has helped launch the most interest in this book? Twitter? Facebook? Book signings? Email? Mailings?

For Pearls of Wisdom, published April 1, 2012, Facebook is the hub for author activities including Twitter and Linkedin posts, book signings at Barnes and Noble as well as independent bookstores, a live teleconference, email and virtual blog tour. 



My favorite is book signings because I have a chance to talk directly to readers. 


There will be more information about the virtual blog tour and teleconference featuring Janet Bray Attwood, Asia Voight and other gifted thought leaders  at http://www.facebook.com/PearlsofWisdomBook <http://www.facebook.com/PearlsofWisdomBook>

8.    What is the one life's lesson you learned in childhood that has helped you the most in your adult life?

The value of education. When I was six-years-old, my family moved from Los Angeles, CA to Bogota, Colombia, where I attended an international school. On my way to school I walked through a barrio, where children my age lived in shelters built from cardboard and tin. Even at that age I understood how lucky I was to have the opportunity to go to school. 



I also learned from watching my father buy books and uniforms for some of the neighborhood children that sometimes it only takes a relatively small amount of money to change the course of a child's life. I observed my father pay for sewing classes for our maid and understood that her life would be better with the new knowledge and skills that education brings.

Last year, memories and emotions welled up inside of me as I listened to Cynthia Kersey talk about The Unstoppable Foundation's goal of educating children worldwide, contributing to raising them out of poverty.   http://www.unstoppable.net/ <http://www.unstoppable.net/>

She commented on how doable this goal is with the monetary equivalent of the what Americans spend on ice cream in a year. I will continue to buy ice cream (coconut is my favorite) but I donated much more than I spend on ice cream to the Unstoppable Foundation.

9. What other books or articles have you written?

Last year I published a Messenger Mini Book entitled, Our Fractal Nature, A Journey of Self-Discovery and Connection. I also worked as a freelance journalist for 10 years publishing over 1000 articles. 



I would go to parties and people would say, "Oh you are a journalist. Where might I have read your writing?" I would laugh, make a face, and say, "I write for agricultural trade publications, so unless you are a cucumber grower, a tomato packer, an apple wholesaler or a vegetable marketer, you probably haven't read any of my work."

I did learn a tremendous amount about how fruits and vegetables are picked, packed, transported and sold in the United States. My most amusing credit is a cover photo on Onion World, a high gloss monthly magazine for onion growers worldwide.

10. Why do you think people respond to your writing in such a positive way?

Both clinically (I have a PhD in Integrative Medicine), in my writing and when I speak to groups, I think my greatest gift is being able to take many seemingly separate pieces of information, find the pattern and tell people how they can use knowledge and skills to create a higher quality of life as well as walk, talk and feel better.

11. When you get a bad review, what do you do to move beyond it?

I have a pretty healthy level of self-confidence. Growing up overseas, I have seen so many different people with unique points of view that I understand not everyone is going to get me. I am mostly okay with that. It also helps that I am surrounded by supportive family and friends. It has been an amazing journey getting to know the other authors.

12. What outdoor activities do you enjoy?

I have a large back yard garden. The weather has been so unusual this year that in mid February we planted snow peas, spinach and lettuces. We are taking a risk planting so early in Connecticut but if we are lucky we will have a nice crop of leafy greens by the end of March and if we are not then we have only wasted $10 on seeds.

The most unusual thing I grow in my garden is bright red amaranth, which is a gluten-free grain. The leaves can be eaten like spinach, raw in salads and cooked when larger. I also grow lemon cucumbers, which taste about the same as a regular cucumber but they are round and yellow.  I lived in Japan for a few years in the 1980's and have put in some Nashi, Japanese pear trees, which don't yet produce much fruit, but I am ever hopeful. Planting a tree is a sign of trusting in the future.

Trees are also fractal in nature, which relates to my book chapter about how solving puzzles and noticing the patterns stimulate healing in our brains. Sunflower seeds are arranged in a Fibonacci pattern (a specialized fractal), which means that the outer seed circle is made up of the same number of seeds as the addition of the next two inner circles. For example the outer circle might have 55 seeds and the next smaller circles would be 34, 21, 13, 8, 5, 3, ... The value is that this arrangement provides space for the most seeds in the smallest area. It is efficient. Our DNA also has a Golden Ratio or Fibonacci pattern, allowing for the most information coding in the smallest amount of space.

13. What is the oddest or funniest thing a fan has sent to you?

I shared my Mini Book, Our Fractal Nature, A Journey of Self-Discovery and Connection with a client at a Virginia clinic where I consult and the next time I saw her she gave me a pair of wool socks with fine copper wire in them. 
They are very comfortable and apparently have a grounding effect. 


At the same clinic, Integrative Manual Therapy in Norfolk, Virginia, another client gave me a copy of Oliver Sack's book, Migraine after I shared with her how I eliminated my migraines after ten plus years of six or so severe migraines with visual aura each year.

14. What one word best describes you?

Passionate

15. How can my blog readers help you to become an even bigger success?

Set a higher standard for your nervous system function. Search for answers everywhere, including in my books and writing until you have the level of brain clarity you want, until you can move flexibly and comfortably, until you can communicate creatively, until you have the quality of life you want. Never settle for less healing than you are capable of. Notice the patterns in your life. Enjoy the ways you are similar to me. Learn from the ways in which we are different. Enjoy life and share my message with your loved ones.

16. What things are 'must haves' on your desk?

I have a heart chakra green postcard on my desk. In white lettering it says, "Do what you love. No excuses." I also have a red and gold Mont Blanc ball point pen, which I bought duty-free on a Lufthansa flight back from seeing a client in Munich, Germany.  I feel that "life is too short to use crummy pens."

17. We often hear that the “whole is greater than the sum of its parts” – how does that proverb apply to the 30 authors in this book?

My chapter, Fractals: Seeing the Patterns in Our Existence discusses how exploring and solving puzzles, learning new things, finding the ways in which we are connected literally makes our brain healthier.



A puzzle is a perfect example of the "whole is greater than the sum of its parts." Each of the 30 authors are a puzzle piece, each contributing a unique perspective. When all the pieces are read together, the beauty of the whole image comes together becomes clear. The whole book is more inspirational, more transformative than the sum of the wisdom in each of the chapters.

18.       What is your most central and compelling “pearl of wisdom”?

Life is an exhilarating, fascinating and beautiful puzzle, how you observe your world, respond to people and solve the challenges determines the quality of your life.

Learn how to improve your relationships within yourself, to your family and friends as well as to the natural world with Kimberly Burnham, The Nerve Whisperer at http://www.KimberlyBurnham.com <http://www.kimberlyburnham.com/>

Thank You,

Kimberly Burnham, PhD
The Nerve Whisperer


Author of Our Fractal Nature, a Journey of Self-Discovery and Connection and featured author in Pearls of Wisdom, 30 Inspirational Ideas to Live Your Best Life, Now! and Pebbles in the Pond, Transforming the World One Person at a Time.

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  Kimberly Burnham is featured in two anthologies coming up Spring, 2012. Below are both of the interviews.
  

Embrace the inspiration in this book. Live your best life…now!



15 comments:

  1. I very much enjoyed reading about Kimberly Burnham and look forward to reading more about her. She's sharing her message in a big way and in so doing, she is inspiring all of us to do the same. Thanks for posting this interview, Angie!

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    1. Thanks Doreen Fulton. You can see more of Doreens message at http://pebblesinthepondbook.com/the-authors/. Wonderful work you are doing Doreen.

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    2. Free Book Draw Announcement: I love feedback so, May 20th, 2012 (the launch date of Pebbles in the Pond), I will transform the lives of 5 people with 15 books, plus special bonuses. To enter your name in the draw simply read the blogs and write a comment. Each winner will receive in the mail: a copy of Christine Kloser's inspirational book, Pebbles in the Pond, Transforming the World One Person at a Time with my chapter, The Eyes Observing Your World, a copy of my Fulltime Messenger mini book with self-care exercises, Our Fractal Nature and Journey of Self-Discovery and Connection, as well as the insightful and transformative Jack Canfield's Pearls of Wisdom, 30 Inspirational Ideas to Live Your Best Life Now! featuring my chapter, "Fractals: Seeing the Patterns in Our Existence. The five contest sites are ;-D both interviews on Angie Azur's http://teazurs.blogspot.com/2012/03/interview-with-kimberly-burnham-phd-and.html?spref=fb :-) my Pebbles in the Pond blogs at http://pebblesinthepondbook.com/blog/transformational-authors/join-me-as-a-partner-in-world-transformation ; -) my free videos at http://www.NerveWhisperer.com and ;-D two other locations to be discovered online.

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  2. Thank you, your confidence is infectious.
    Una Tiers

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    1. Thanks Una Tiers. I feel so grateful to have seen so many transformations that most people say are impossible. More of my personal story is at http://pebblesinthepondbook.com/blog/transformational-authors/blue-morphos-butterflies-in-the-colombian-jungle/

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  3. Kimberly is such a joy to read! Her intimate knowledge of human potential, wide range of experience, generosity and genuine love and care for people whose lives she touches every day really inspire me. I am so blessed to count her amongst my dearest friends and cohorts! Thank you for sharing Angie!

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  4. I actually read all of the 18 questions that were answered because the information was rich with content instead of information overload with no substance. Great post!

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  5. Loved this interview! Thank you for sharing Kimberly and her work with us! Her joy for life and the love and care she exudes in this piece are wonderful. You've truly brought the essence of who she really is in this post. Thank you!

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  6. Kimberly,

    Thanks for your recommendation request. As our LI union slipped through typical Circle Group (CG) protocol (reason behind our contact), I have sent you an Invite for this group.

    Your description of interlinking blog's, authors (Azur) and writings appears wonderful. I shall await any of your comments on the CG pages, before responding with your recommendation.

    I'll aim to leave a copy of this reply on your blogspot link.

    Regards,
    Tony Harewood | Circle Group (copy of LinkedIn message)

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  7. Kimberly,
    Thank you for sharing your ripple of how powerful we can be as healers - as you so eloquently pointed out, knowledge is power, and when that is transferred in the form of self-love, we can do so much more. This is one of my favorite lines: "Never settle for less healing than you are capable of. Notice the patterns in your life. Enjoy the ways you are similar to me. Learn from the ways in which we are different. Enjoy life and share my message with your loved ones." Keep up the great success.

    Dorit Sasson
    creator of the book/program "Giving Voice to the Voiceless"
    Vision, voice, vibration
    www.GivingAVoicetotheVoicelessBook.com
    (Please bookmark the site - website will be launched within the week)

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    1. Thanks for sharing your experience Dorit. We are all an important part of the pattern.

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  8. Great interview - truly highlights Kimberly's global passion for connections, fractals, healing, enthusiasm and passion. I just had the opportunity to meet Kimberly and she truly walks her talk -- I am better for knowing her, learning about her through interviews such as this blog, and her writings. I want more -- looking forward to a book from this talented and incredible author.
    Ann White, Creating Calm Within Chaos

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  9. Want to see clearer and feel stronger? Catch my online interview this week. March 27-30th at the Free Pearls of Wisdom Telesummit http://yourawakenedself.com/pearls-of-wisdom-summit/ Learn more about healthy patterns, comfortable movement and ease in your life. Lots of Free Bonus gifts available on opt in pages. See how the authors of the transformational, Pearls of Wisdom, 30 Ispirational Ideas to Live Your Best Life Now! are putting on an awesome launch PearlsofWisdomBook#

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  10. Kimberly, I just love reading your work and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed listening to you on your radio interviews with Ann White and Alison Marks, too.

    You are remarkable in having explored so many areas of the world. And have a gift for writing in such a way that you share your experiences with the rest of us as though you are taking us with you.

    Thank you being so generous in sharing your gifts of healing and writing with the rest of the world. You are a blessing to us.

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    1. Thanks Mary. Check out the Free Download for Organizing Your Life for Flow with Kimberly Burnham, Stephanie Bennett Vogt, Susan McMillin and Moderator: Alison Marks. Alison Marks is the founder of 6 Figure Home Office, motivational speaker, and author of "Get It Done" and other programs for passionate entrepreneurs. www.6figurehomeoffice.com

      Link to Replay http://instantteleseminar.com/?eventid=27442074

      -- Kimberly Burnham, PhD is the author of Our Fractal Nature and Journey of Self-Discovery and Connection, as well as the upcoming book, The Nerve Whisperer, Recover Your Life Through Brain Health Despite a Diagnosis of Macular Degeneration. Featured with other thought leaders in two books: Jack Canfield’s Pearls of Wisdom, 30 Inspirational Ideas to Live Your Best Life Now! (April 2, 2012). Her chapter, "Fractals: Seeing the Patterns in Our Existence", offers a unique perspective on life patterns and how we can improve our brain health and memory by observing while seeking to understand the world around us."The Eyes Observing Your World", in Christine Kloser’s Pebbles in the Pond: Transforming the World One Person at a Time (May 20, 2012) tells a remarkable story of vision recovery offering hope for anyone with a potentially blinding condition, migraines, Parkinson’s disease, macular degeneration or immune dysfunction. Visit me online at http://www.NerveWhisperer.com

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